Project Assistant - United States Embassy

Job Title:  Project Assistant; FP- 6; FSN-8

Organisation: United States Embassy, U. S. Mission, Uganda
Vacancy Number: 059/2013
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Job Summary: The Project Assistant  will serves as an Assistant to the U.S. Treasury Resident Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED) in Kampala Uganda and will be responsible for the following; conduct research and provide analyzed data collected from various sources with regards to debt, budget, policies and other regulation; prepare working drafts and briefing papers on complex and legal material; position is responsible for the day to day administrative aspect of maintaining files, reference materials and establishing and maintaining communication links with private and public contacts.

A full copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available on http://kampala.usembassy.gov/job_opportunites.html

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Conducts research and provides the Resident Advisor (RA) with summaries/analysis of data collected from the Government a/o other sources with regards to debt, budget, economic and statistical data and policies and regulations related to the issuance and management of debt by the MFPED. Does research related to investment of government funds, cash management, loans, capital projects and other laws and regulations. (35%)
Prepares working drafts of a variety of complex financial and legal material in narrative and tabular material with a high degree of accuracy. This includes legal and contractual documents, memoranda, correspondence, charts, excel spreadsheets, statistical tables and PowerPoint presentations. (30%)
Prepares drafts of briefing papers, official correspondence, and a variety of special and routine reports. (15 %).
Establishes and maintains files, records and reference materials of the office. Retrieves file information and references as required by RA.  Establish communication links with private and public sources for appropriate reference materials to support project objectives. (10%)
Performs a variety of administrative duties, including but not limited to: screening visitors and telephone calls to the RA; maintaining his/her calendar, scheduling appointments with officials at all levels of the public and private sector including an appropriate follow up procedure,  as necessary; arranging conferences; reviewing outgoing correspondence, reports. (10%)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The applicant should hold a bachelor’s degree in economics, commerce, finance, math, statistics, accounting, business studies or business administration is required.
The Project Assistant should have four years progressive experience in a major public or  private financial institution with responsibilities that include research and analysis of debt management, banking  or finance issues; scheduling and coordination of public contact activities (meetings seminars, training and conferences); and demonstrated proficiency in verbal, written communication and presentation skills of complex detailed financial information material.
An additional year of experience working with government officials, management and staff within the MFPED, the Bank of Uganda (BOU), and/or local offices of the international finance community (World Bank, ADB, IMF, USAID, EU) and/or commercial banks is also required.
Good knowledge of lending and investment concepts related to the banking or financial sector is required.
Good working knowledge in contracting, law and policy related to debt and lending.
Ability to comprehend complex legal, technical, financial and economic documents.
Must be well versed with financial and accounting principles including NPV, IRR and good working knowledge of legal and financial analysis processes.
Good analytical skills as well as proficiency in managing administrative procedures;
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work within structure of government agency; Computer literacy skills i.e. additional qualifications in MS Word, MS Excel, Microsoft Power Point, internet research and MS Outlook is required.
Ability to communicate effectively with all officials in US Treasury, MFPED and other international agencies is required.
Language Proficiency:  List both English and host country language(s) by level and specialization. Level IV (fluent) in written and oral English and level III (good working knowledge) of Luganda, Lusoga, Lunyankore and/or Alur/Acholi is required.
How to Apply:
All those interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should send their applications and strictly adhere to the following:
Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174).
A current resume or curriculum vitae.
Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.  Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
Any other documentation (e.g. essays, transcripts/certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

Submit Application To:
Human Resources Office
By email at KampalaHR@state.gov.

NB: Only electronic submissions will be accepted and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Clearly indicate the position applied for in the subject area of the email submission.
Please use standard file types such as Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) and please send all documents in one file attachment.
Telephone:  0414-306001/259-791/5

Deadline: 29th July, 2013

The US Mission in Kampala provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.  The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.